Sauchiehall Music Day
There was a little popup music event that happened last weekend.
It was called the Sauchiehall Day of Music and it featured different acts split over 2 stages.
The acts were made up of local bands, residents and students from the Conservatoire.
There was a stage on the corner of Sauchiehall Street and West Campbell Street, tucked in besides the Greggs shop and Edward House.
The second stage was in Garnethill Park at the Rose Street entrance.
This was a better location as the park has terraces like a little amphitheatre and had no pedestrian or cycle traffic to block your views.
The blurb on their website said that this was about celebrating Glasgow's diverse music scene and heritage but beyond that I don't really know what this event was about or what it was for.
I barely knew that it was happening at all.
Had it not been for a friend liking a post on a local Facebook group I'd never have seen this.
There was a another event a few weekends ago that I knew nothing about until I saw their recap called 24 Things to Tell You.
The blurb also says " Delivered as part of the Sauchiehall Street Culture and Heritage District development phase, this event is in partnership with Glasgow UNESCO City of Music to act as a case study/catalyst in scoping how music can contribute to the renewal of Glasgow City Centre. With support from Glasgow 850."
In Edward House there was a couple of exhibitions showing sights and smells of Sauchiehall Street of old and a board asking questions which you could contribute comments to.
Things like What could be done to make Sauchiehall Street better?
"Rebuild the ABC"
This event was hindered by how horrible the weather was.
Are you fed up with me saying that? I'm fed up writing it and more fed up drying my stuff afterwards.
The morning had heavy rain and the afternoon had drizzle until the last couple of bands took to the stage.
I filmed a song of every act and in a couple of the early ones the rain is so loud it fills in the quiet parts of their performances.
The big flaw in this event was that the stage times weren't staggered. Although I did manage to see enough of everybody.
So here's a little taste of what was happening.
I started off at the Garnethill Stage and saw the introductions from Samhuinn Watt, the local musician who had programmed this stage. (It's pronounced "Sam" btw)
First on was Harpist Helena de Rijke who told of her musical journey from France and Germany to England and eventually Garnethill.
At the same time on the Street stage Tina Sandwich was performing.
I've seen this band a couple of times before and enjoyed their indie punk sounds.
This stage was partly programmed by the venerable bar and music venue Nice N Sleazy's.
She was the first one to point out the weirdness of performing on this street, as shoppers and others pass by unaware of what they're walking through. And many of the others that followed also commented on that.
Gie's Peace are a ukulele group made up mostly of immigrants and refugees. I think they are based at the Garnethill Multicultural centre. They played and sang some cover versions of songs that you'd know.
Sòlas Ensemble are a vocal group made up of Katie Carmichael, Caitlin Mackenzie, Euan McDonald and Joshua McCullough who are all studying Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire. I didn't know the songs they were singing but they were all built on layered vocals.
GLAN were next on at the Rose St stage and are a family band who play GÃ idhlig songs with a bit of a punk rock twist.
Of everyone I saw they were the one I enjoyed the most.
Some of these songs are old, some not so. Yet they all sounded fresh, modern.
I caught the very end of Jura Brass on the other stage. Playing a version of Yes Sir I can Boogie.
Again a band made up of students who perform in other bands.
Heading back to the Park I saw two songs from Kurdish musician and Garnethill resident Adnan Shamdin. He played a upbeat dance number to finish and another that told a story of the Kurdish people.
I really wanted to see Kitti here as I'd missed her at Celtic Connections this year due to a schedule clash. Hailing from Paisely originally she's a Jazz singer who has been making some waves recently.
I saw most of her set and with her band she performed songs from her newest release called Somethin' in the Water.
Kejadenn Alba were next on the Park stage and they are a newer band with members hailing from Arizona, Canada and France.
They perform the music of Brittany and many of the songs are in the Breton language. Which was really interesting and for a band formed this year they seemed very accomplished.
They were a pleasant surprise as I had no idea that kind of band and that sort of music existed locally.
Duncan Ritchie on accordion with Rae Maclver on piano were next on the Street stage.
This duo are both current students of the conservatoire and they played us a selection of slow airs and reels. Which got a section of the Sauchiehall Street crowd up and dancing.
Last on the Street stage and prize winner for the best band name was Sean Choon and the Prawn Monsoon.
All dressed as chefs as 'They cook up tunes'.
They are unusual in that the main singer is the drummer and are hard to pin down musically.
The songs I saw went from Funk to Opera to Star Wars and back to Funk all with a great dose of humour.
Closing the Park stage was probably the best known artists of the whole event.
Mischa McPherson and Anna Massie. They played a set of GÃ idhlig songs and Anna played a solo number too.
It was a fun little day and a good way to introduce some bands and artists to new audiences. But that wasn’t really the point of it was it?
I enjoyed seeing all of this but when I got home I wasn’t totally sure of why this all took place and even now writing this post I do not have an answer for that so I leave you with that questions left hanging.